Zion Williamson Adds To Growing Portfolio With Fanatics Deal

Pelicans F Zion Williamson has signed a "new multiyear partnership with Fanatics as his exclusive memorabilia distributor," according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. Fanatics said that more memorabilia products for Williamson have been "sold since his NBA debut Jan. 22 than any other player across the Fanatics network (which includes NBAStore.com)." For merchandise and memorabilia sales combined, he has been a "top-five-selling NBA player, with a 175% spike in sales month over month." NBA Auctions "launched a bid for one of his game-worn Pelicans City Edition uniforms on Feb. 27." As of yesterday afternoon, it "remains one of the most popular items on the site -- cracking over $15,000 with the close date set for March 19." In January, when the NBA and NBPA released the league's most popular jersey and team merchandise lists for the second consecutive year, Williamson "ranked 15th despite not having played a single game in that period." The business of Williamson's sports merchandise has "begun to blossom so much that it's taken him a while to perfect his autograph style." His "laundry list of endorsements also include Jordan Brand, Gatorade, NBA 2K, Panini America and Mountain Dew" (ESPN.com, 3/3).

FRESH KICKS: In New Orleans, Christian Clark noted through his deal with Jordan Brand, Williamson "rocks a different pair of player exclusive 34s seemingly every week." Jordan Brand has already outfitted Williamson in "Saints-inspired kicks with fleurs-de-lis on the back, a purple, white and gold pair meant to match New Orleans’ Mardi Gras uniforms and shoes with faux feathers on them." In his NBA debut, Williamson "wore a swamp green pair with the words 'BAYOU BOYS' printed across the heels." His decision to do so "stemmed from Williamson wanting to remember the first few weeks he spent in Louisiana alongside fellow rookies Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker." The "name stuck." When Williamson and reps from Jordan Brand "hashed out shoe ideas, the moniker morphed into the alliterative phrase that appeared on the kicks Williamson wore in his first game" (NOLA.com, 3/2).